Harm Reduction Drug Project Uzbekistan - Contact Netz

Advantages and limitations of the “snowball” system
What makes the “snowball” system attractive is that, even with a small budget and
a small workforce, it is possible to reach a large number of drug users and to create
a decentralised distribution structure. The “snowball” system also allows rapid
access to information at grass roots level about the needs of drug users, the quality
or price of drugs, and police interventions. Thus, with the help of the volunteers, a
network grows up in which important information can be conveyed rapidly to a wide
audience.
The challenges include the reliability of volunteers and the need to make sure that
syringes are supplied to the target group and are not sold elsewhere. There is a
real risk of this, since many hospitals, for example, also badly need syringes.
Another risky area is the use of ex-drug users as volunteers. Experience shows
that collaborating in such a project can strengthen the resolve of many ex-users,
whose motto becomes “Look at me, I have kicked the habit!”. For some, however,
daily contact with the drug scene brings with it the danger of relapse.
Outreach work
The objectives of the project and the support services offered must be made known
to the target group and should be perceived by them as trustworthy and reliable.
This makes it possible to discover the real needs of drug users.
Creating a network
It is important to create a network that includes doctors and representatives of the
police as well as of other relevant organisations.
Protecting team members
Everyone involved in the project must be guaranteed protection from police
intervention.
Search for locations
Suitable locations must be found for the Contact Centres.
6.1.3 Capacity building
Support was provided for capacity building at various levels to ensure the transfer
of knowledge between those involved in the project, and institutions and
government representatives. This ensured the spread of information about therapy,
substitution and rehabilitation.
Team level
Both teams, in Tashkent and Samarkand, have four members (working 50%), a
local project leader, and volunteers. In the period between March and August 2003,
a number of training sessions for project workers and volunteers were held -- in
some cases lasting several days -- on the following subjects:
• The four-pillar model with particular focus on harm reduction
• Outreach work
• Safe injection
• Communication skills
• Overdoses.
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Advantages and
disadvantages
Shortage of
syringes
Outreach work
Inter-professional
network
Protection from
police intervention
Training with
professionals
Team training